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Are modular cables interchangable between supplies?

S

SenorBeef

Weaksauce
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
95
Okay, so I'm running an Antec Truepower Neo 650. I'm getting a new video card tomorrow that requires an 8 pin connector, and I've only currently got 2 6 pin connectors connected to my power supply. Now... I forget exactly where I put the extra cables for my Antec power supply, but I found a different batch of spare cables from another power supply. Probably a Corsair 520HX although I'm not sure.

Basically, modular cables are all just some copper in an insulator, right? A corsair 8 pin PCI-E cable should work fine in an Antec PSU? I mean, as long as the connector fits on the actual PSU unit itself (IIRC the actual configuration of the part that plugs into the PSU can vary, sometimes 4x2 pins, sometimes a flat 8 pins)

Also, this cable has a set of 6+2 pins and 6 pin connectors on the same cable. Can I use them both for the same card, with the 6+2 pin in the middle, branching out to a 6 pin on the end? That is... they're designed to be able to power two power connectors from one cable, right?
 
If it were me I would get an adapter (most likely the card will come with one and solve your problem if it's NIB) because I'm no electrician.
 
General rule of thumb is that they are not. The pinouts do not necessarily match up.
 
Would I damage something by trying, or would it just not work? I'm actually not sure which PSU the cables came from, they were in a box in a plastic bag with no markings and they weren't labeled. Is there some way to check the pinouts to see if they match? I notice there are 6 "occupied" pins out of the 8 pins on the part that connects to the PSU. If they match up to pins within the PSU end of the connector, does that mean they match? Or is it possible the PSU has the ground/positive/negative wires in non-standard spots?

By process of elimination, the other power supplies I've been using don't look like they have connectors that match up with this cable. And it looks like this cable would plug into my PSU. I found it in a box with a corsair case for modular cables, so I was worried that it was from that PSU, but it's not like one of the all-black cables from that PSU at all. So 90% chance it's from the right PSU. Let's hope.
 
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Yes, you have the high potential of damaging something. If a pin is connected to ground on one PSU and connected to the 12v on the other PSU, you've effectively created a short. In a best case scenario, the PSU will detect the short and shut down without any damage. In a worse case scenario, you can end up burning out your GPU and PSU, and potentially create an electrical fire.
 
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